Stress absorbing record assembly



Oct- 27, 1942. J. G. KERR I STRESS ABSIORBING RECORD- ASSEMBLY 1 FiledDec. 18, 1940 a v o VV////M/ Wm M N Y AN UQW Patented Oct. 27, 1942STRESS ABSORBING RECORD ASSEMBLY James Gordon Kerr, Washington, D. 0.,assignor to Gilman Fanfold Corporation, Niagara Falls, N. Y., acorporation of Delaware Application December 18, 1940, Serial No.370,680

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in manifolding or recordassemblies of the type ordinarily embodying long continuous record andtransfer strips superposed with one another in transfer relation andadapted for use in various forms of writing machines or for manualinscription. While the invention i herein disclosed in connection withsuch record strip of the fanfold type, in which th superposed strips areformed from a single sheet Of paper longitudinally folded along theassembly margins, it is adapted also for use in connection withassemblies having the record strips of separate units or strips of paperwithout longitudinal folds at the longitudinal assembly edges. Theinvention resides more particularly in an improved construction andarrangement of the assembly strips so as to avoid undue stresses in thestrips as they are fed by the feeding mechanism of the writing machines.

It is a general object of the invention to provide in manifoldingassemblies of the nature mentioned, an improved construction andarrangement of the superposed strips whereby stresses in the strips,such as may b caused by feeding the assembly around cylindrical platensof the writing machines, are effectually absorbed and the accumulationthereof prevented, thus avoiding wrinkling, bulging, creasing and othersimilar distortions in the strip tending to obstruct the free feedingmovements of the assembly, and promoting accuracy of feed and exactnessin line spacing.

A further object of the invention is to provide for manifoldingassemblies of th nature mentioned, an improved construction andarrangement of the assembly strips so as to form stress absorption zonesor areas in the assembly at spaced points therealong, and adapted toabsorb stresses developed during feeding of th strips, and thuspreventing wrinkling, bulging or other distortions tending to interferewith accuracy in feeding and line spacing and to cause marring of thestrips and unsatisfactory transfer inscriptions.

According to a feature of improvement of the invention the assemblystrips are formed to provide areas of flexibility along the assembly,thus forming stress absorption zonesthat function to absorb the stressesand to avoid the bulges and other irregularities which, in manifoldingassemblies used heretofore, obstruct the free passage of the assemblyinto and beyond the platen grip. In manifolding assemblies of the naturementioned heretofor extensively used, the distortions and bulging of theassembly due to the causes mentioned have seriously interfered with thecorrect and accurate feeding for effecting line spacing and have made itnecessary at frequent intervals to remove the assembly from the writingmachine so that th distortions could be smoothed out. It has heretoforeoften been necessary to do this before the writing could be proceededwith and frequently th accumulations of assembly distortions have beenso pronounced as to prevent further feeding action, especially in thecase of machines with cylindrical platens and pressure devices foreffecting strip feed by rotation of the platen.

Other-objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in thefollowing detailed description of certain illustrative but preferredembodiments of the invention, and will be in part obviousas thedisclosure proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope ofthe application of which Will be indicated in the claims.

For a more comprehensive disclosure of the nature, objects andadvantages of the invention, reference is had to the following detaileddescription and to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a partially diagrammatic perspective view of a manifoldingassembly embodying the invention; 7

Fig. 2 is an enlarged partially diagrammatic perspective view of aportion of the assembly shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of an assembly, such as shown in Fig,1, but showing a slightly modified embodiment j Fig. 4 is a plan viewsimilar to Fig. 3 but disclosing another embodiment; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figures 3 and 4 showing a still furtherembodiment.

Referring to the drawing for a detailed description of the illustrativeembodiments there shown, and first to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2,a manifolding assembly of th fanfold type is shown having a longcontinuous original record strip I for receiving the inscriptiondirectly from the type of the writing machine or by other means, andunderlying copy record strips 8. Only three record strips 1, 8 are,shown but it will be understood that as many record strips as desiredfor the particular work in hand may be employed. It is often foundnecessary to use six or eight or even more of'such record strips insuperposed In the embodiment shown, long continuous transfer strips I lare interleaved in transfer relation with the record strips 1 and 8,these ordinarily being longitudinally coextensive with the recordstrips. The carbon strips are ordinarily coated with transfer materialon their lower surfaces, as shown, for transferring the inscriptions tothe underlying or copy strips 8.

As shown the assembly of record and transfer strips is ordinarily foldedalong transverse lines I2 into a zigzag supply pack I3 that isconvenient for handling andloading into writing machines.

Composite manifolding assemblies of the class described are adapted foruse in various forms of writing machines, such as typewriters and thelike, and they are often employed in such machines having cylindricalplatens for supporting the assembly in writing position, and around thecylindrical supporting surface of which platens the assembly isextended. In machines of this type the feeding of the assembly for linespacing movements is often effected by rotating the platen.. For thispurpose pressure means is ordinarily used to urge the assembly againstthe platen surface and the feed is caused by the frictional engagementof the assembly with the platen surface. When the composite assembly isfed by the means mentioned, or by similar means, it has been found bypast experience that stresses in the several strips of the assembly arecaused as the assembly passes around the cylindrical platen. Thesestresses accumulate as the feeding progresses, and they accumulate fromone form length to another until wrinkling. bulging, creasing andsimilar distortions in the assembly strips are caused. As suchdistortions accumulate the accurate feeding of the strips is seriouslyinterfered with, and they become so prominent as feeding continues thatthe platen is no longer able to continuethe feeding of the assembly inthe normal operation of the writing machine. Due to this difficulty ithas often become necessary to remove the assembly entirely from themachine and to adjust the strips to relieve the stresses and to flattenout the strips and smooth out the bulges and wrinkles. Also, thedistortions of the strips due to the accumulated stresses prevents themaking of good transfer copies, because of the pockets, etc., caused bysuch bulges.

According to this invention the manifolding assembly is provided with aseries of stress absorption zones l4 constructed and arranged in a novelmanner in the assembly strips. The absorption zones [4 are arranged atlongitudinally spaced intervals along the manifolding assembly. Asshown, it is convenient to space these zones at points between adjacentsets of form sheets or leaves. It will be understood that these sets ofform lengths or leaves are provided at spaced intervals along theassembly, each form sheet having one of the blank forms 9 and theadjacent sets of form sheets being delineated Or divided from the stripsby transverse weakened severance lines l5 arranged in superposed ordepthwise alignment in the record and transfer strips and ordinarilybeing coincident with the fold lines [2. The weakened severance lines [5are ordinarily formed by weakening the strips to severance stresses asby perforating, slitting, cutting and the like.

As shown in the illustration embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 the assemblystrips are attached together at longitudinally spaced intervals alongthe assembly by means of appropriate attaching devices, such as thelight wire staples l6 extending vertically through the assembly strips.

These attaching staples of wire, textile thread or the like arepositioned adjacent to each of the transverse severance lines l5 butspaced slightly therefrom. These weakened severance lines l5, it will beseen, are respectively adjacent to the stress absorption zones I4.

Opposite to the attachments [6 from the respective weakened severancelines Hi, there is a longitudinal series of cuts or cut-outs I'I formingsmall openings arranged in a series transversely of the assembly.Preferably, as shown, these cut-outs or cut-away portions of the stripsare arranged in each of the superposed record and transfer strips and insubstantially superposed relation in the assembly. These cut-outs orcut-away portions I1 form openings of considerable longitudinal extentlengthwise of the assembly so as to weaken the strips to form aflexibility in the assembly that is effective in absorbing the stressescaused by feeding the assembly. This flexibility is increased andpromoted by the adjacent transverse weakened severance lines l5 whichmay, in some cases, be of special construction to promote flexibility,as later described.

Interposed between each pair of adjacent cutouts I1 are connections orties I8 integral with the respecting strips. As shown, these ties are soconstructed and arranged as to be narrower at one of the connecting endsthereof than at the other. This structure, as shown, is accomplished byforming the cut-outs II with inclined or converging adjacent ends. Thusthe attachment at the narrow ends of the ties l8 are weaker than at thewide ends thereof. Thus when severance is effected along the line of thecut-outs by a tearing pull the severance of each tie will be locatedadjacent to, or at the weaker end thereof. This action will cause asubstantially straight edge along the severed edge of the strip adjacentto the narrow ends of the ties.

As best seen in Fig; 2, the carbon strips H are constructedsubstantially the same as the record strips to provide the absorptionzones. Thus each carbon strip has transverse weakened severance lines I9and a transversely disposed series of cut-outs 20 with interposedconnecting ties 2|, the structure being substantially identical withthat of the record strips.

As shown, it is advantageous to construct the weakened severance linesl5 and 19 substantially as disclosed in applicants prior copendingapplication, Serial No. 364,685, filed November '7,

1940. This construction embodies elongated slits 22, preferablyextending entirely through the paper of the different strips andlongitudinally aligned transversely of the assembly. Also, slits or cuts23' join the ends of the slits 22 being disposed at angles to the latterand converging away from the slits 22 so as to form connecting ties 24,narrower at their outer ends than at their inner ends, the narrow endsbeing thus weaker in their attachments to the-strips than are theopposite ends. This construction, as described in the said copendingapplication, causes severance to occur at the weaker ends of the tieswhen tearing stresses are imparted. This leaves a substantially straightedge at the severed edge of the strip and. the fibrous tufts incident toseverance are located wholly within the line of the severed edge.

It will be noticed that the ties 2A of theseverance lines I haveconsiderable longitudinal extent. The effect of this is to increase theflexibility of the stress absorption zones I I, so that thisconstruction of the severance lines cooperates with the cut-outs I Ttoincrease the flexibility and efiectiveness of the absorption zones. Asshown, the weakened severance lines IQ of the carbon strips are ofsubstantially the same construction as described for the severance linesI5 of the record strips.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3, the construction andarrangement of the stress absorption zones are substantially asdescribed above in connection with Figures 1 and 2, and correspondingparts are designated by the same reference numerals with theaddition ofthe index a. In Fig. 3 each absorption zone Ma embodies the cut-outs oropenings Ila arranged in a transverse series and having the interposedconnecting ties I8a. Also, the assembly strips are provided withsuperposed weakened transverse, severance lines I5a constructedsubstantially the same as the severancelines l5 and similarly positionedwith reference to the absorption zone. The attachments Ifia connectassembly strips together as in the prior embodiment.

However, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 the connecting ties I So.extend at their narrow ends somewhat beyond the line of the adjacentedges of the cut-outs Ila. To provide this construction slits or cuts 25are formed in the respective strips substantially in alignment with theadjacent ends of the cut-outs IIa. Thus, the narrow or connected ends ofthe ties l8a are offset slightly from the adjacent edges of thecut-outs. When severance takes place it occurs at the pointslongitudinally offset slightly from the adjacent edges of the cut-outs.The tufts or rough edges due to the severing action are thus offsetslightly from the severed edge of the strip, leaving said edgesubstantially straight and free from tufts or irregularities. Thisarrangement and the function thereof is similar to that described abovein connection with the severance lines I5 and I9.

According to the embodiment of Fig. 4, the arrangement of assemblystrips is similar to that above described in connection with Figures 1and 2, and corresponding parts are designated by the same referencenumerals with the addition of the index I). In this case, as in theothers, each absorption zone [4b is adjacent to the transverselyextending weakened severance lines I5b in the record and transferstrips, and the assembly strips are connected together by attachmentsl5b. Each assembly strip is formed with a series of cuts or slits 25having their major length extending in a direction longitudinally of theassembly. These cuts, as shown, are inclined slightly to the directionof length of the assembly or the longitudinal axis thereof. Slits 21aligned transversely of the assembly respectively join the inclinedslits 26 at their opposite ends and are longitudinally alignedtransversely of the assembly. This arrangement of slits forms a seriesof'ties or connecting'tongues 29 that function to increase theflexibility of the as sembly and to promote stress absorption at each ofthe stress absorption zones.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4 transverse weakened severance lines 30 areformed in each of the assembly strips adjacent to the absorption zonesMb. These weakened severance lines 30 may be formed by elongated slitsin the paper or by perforations or other known means. The severancelines 30 are arranged substantially in depthwise alignment in theassembly as are the severance lines I5 in Fig. 1, thus providing forseverance of all of the strips along the weakened severance lines 30 byexertion of a tearing pull upon the strips at the severance lines.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5 the arrangement of record and carbon stripsin the assembly is substantially the same as disclosed in connectionwith Figures 1 and 2, and corresponding parts are designated by the samereference numerals with the addition of the index 0. In this embodimentas in the others, the severance lines I50 extend along and adjacent tothe respective stress absorption zones I40, and cut-outs or openings IIcare positioned in a transverse series opposite to the attachment I60from the severance lines I50. The cut-outs IIc are elongated, extendingin a direction longitudinally of the assembly and being inclined to thelongitudinal axis of the assembly. As in the embodiment of Figures 1 and2, the cut-outs IIc extend entirely through the respective strips,leaving the relatively narrow and flexible connecting tongues or ties 3|similar to the tongues 29 above described,

in connection with Fig. 4. Transverse weakened severance lines 32 arealso formed in the superposed assembly strips in the embodiment of Fig.5, these being constructed and arranged as described above in connectionwith Fig. 4.

In each of the different illustrative embodiments of the invention itwill be noticed that the several" superposed assembly strips areconstructed to provide flexible stress absorbing zones positioned atlongitudinally spaced intervals along the assembly. Each stressabsorption zone includes a strip weakening formation or flexible bandalong transverse lines formed in each superposed strip, these weakeningformations being in superposed relation so as to form at each zone atransversely extending flexible area or band of appreciable longitudinalextent lengthwise of the assembly. This weakening of the respectiveassembly strips is 'efiected by the various forms of weakeningformations described, such as the formations I'I, Ila, I70, 26, etc.Similar flexible bands of appreciable longitudinal extent lengthwise ofthe assembly are also formed along the respective absorption zones bythe formations 23, 24 at the opposite margins of said zones. This strip"weakening construction or flexible band along the transverse lines ofeach assembly strip forms an important part of each of the flexibleabsorption zones of the strip assembly. Each of these zones functions toabsorb the stresses caused in the strips by the feeding action of theassembly about the platen or by other means. As the assembly advances inthe feeding grip of the platen, stresses are caused in differentsuperposed strips due partly to the shorter path travelled by the innerstrips as compared to the path travelled by the outer strips. As'thefeeding continues these stresses increase to such an extent as to tendto cause the strips to'buckle or form bulges and wrinkles. When one ofthe absorption zones approaches the platen grip under these conditionsthe stresses are absorbed by the flexible zone, and undue distortion ofthe strips is avoided. Due to the strip weakening along thelongitudinally spaced transverse lines or bands of each flexibleabsorption zone, the several strips of the assembly will thus be causedto fold or crumple slightly along the weakened lines, and theaccumulated stresses in the strips thus relieved. These stresses anddistortions are thus not permitted to accumulate as the feedingprogresses. It has been found in practice that the stresses anddistortions are so effectively absorbed that lines spacing is maintainedwith accuracy, and at no time do the distortions increase to such anextent as to obstruct the feeding movement of the assembly or to causestoppage thereof.

The absorption zones M are shown as being positioned at the bottoms ofeach form set or form length of the assembly. It is preferable to thusposition them because it leaves the forward ends of the strips free andunattached from each other when the inscribed set is severed from theassembly along the transverse weakened severance lines l5. Due to thisarrangement it is easier to make corrections, erasures, etc., since theforward ends of the strips can be moved apart for this purpose. The topsof the form sheets of each sheet set will therefore be positioned at theforward or right as appearing in Fig. 1.

After completion of the typing or inscriptions on a set of form sheets,the set may then be severed as a unit from the complete assembly alongthe next successive group of weakened severance lines l5, I5a etc. Thesevered inscribed set thus has the absorption zone M, Ma, etc., attachedat its lower extremity. This zone also functions as a binding stub whichmay be readily detached from the sheet set by severance along the lineof the openings l1, l'la of the embodiments of Figures 1 and 3, or alongthe weakened severance lines 39 or 32 in the embodiments of Figures 4and 5. The severance along the line of the opening I! or Ila will belocated at the weaker or narrow ends of the ties l8 or [8a thus leavingsmooth severed edges at the bottoms or lower ends of the form sheets. Inthe embodiment of Fig. 3 severance will occur at points in the formsheets inset slightly with reference to the line of the inner edges ofthe openings lla thus leaving smooth straight edges of the form sheets.The carbon and record sheets of the inscribed set can be quicklystripped from interleaved relation by means of the selective gripformations above described.

It is sometimes desirable to keep the absorption zones M, I ia, etc., atthe tops of the severed sets of sheets, instead of keeping them at thebottoms as described above and shown in Fig. 1. In such cases it is onlynecessary to initially sever the sets of sheets after inscriptionthereof along the lines of the openings N, Na, etc., instead cf alongthe weakened lines l5, l5a, etc. When severance is thus made it will benoted that the zones M will remain at the tops or forward ends of thesets of sheets as seen in Fig. 1, and they will thus function to holdthe sheets of the set in correct alignment with each other during thewrinting operation or during threading of the assembly into the writingmachine. In case it becomes necessary to make erasures or correctionsthe zones or stubs can be severed from the assembly, thus freeing thesheets so that they can be separated and the erasures made. In

cases where no erasures are required the zones or stubs M, Ma, etc., canbe severed after severance of the inscribed sets from the completeassembly along the next successive lines of openings II. In the case ofthe embodiments of Figs. 4 and 5 it will, of course, be understood thatthe initial severance of the inscribed sets from the complete assemblywill occur along the weakened severance lines 30 or 32.

In order to provide for ease in separating the record sheets from thecarbon sheets of a severed set, thumb notches 33 are provided atlongitudinally spaced points along the margin of the assembly, thusproviding selective grip formations whereby the carbons can be grippedwithout, at the same time, gripping the record sheets. At the oppositemargins of the assembly the edges of the carbon terminate short of theadjacent edges of the records, thus forming a selective grip forgripping the record sheets without at the same time gripping the carbonsheets. By simultaneous gripping of the opposite selective gripformations the carbon sheets can be quickly and easily stripped frominterleaved relation with the record sheets.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In a manifolding assembly, in combination, a plurality of longcontinuous strips in superposed manifolding relation, and stressabsorption zones in the assembly positioned at longitudinally spacedintervals along the assembly for absorbing and equalizing strip stressescaused by feeding the assembly, each said absorption zone having aplurality of strip weakening formations formed in a plurality of thestrips and extending along transverse lines thereof, at least one ofsaid weakening formations of each zone having a plurality of elongatedties disposed transversely of the course of the respective weakeningformation.

2. In a manifolding assembly, in combination, a plurality of longcontinuous strips in superposed manifolding relation, stress absorptionzones in the assembly formed in certain of the strips and positioned atlongitudinally spaced intervals along the assembly for absorbing andequalizing strip stresses, each said absorption zone including cutawayor removed portions of the strips forming transverse series of openingsof appreciable longitudinal extent lengthwise of the assembly atsuperposed parts of the assembly strips, and longitudinally extendingties with adjacent strip material respectively positioned betweenadjacent said openings, each said tie having appreciable longitudinalextent lengthwise of the assembly and being weaker at one end than atthe other end thereof, so as to cause tearing severance along the weakerends.

3. In a manifolding assembly, in combination, a plurality of longcontinuous strips in superposed manifolding relation, stress absorptionzones in the assembly formed in certain of the strips and positioned atlongitudinally spaced intervals along the assembly for absorbing andequalizing strip stresses, said absorption zones including cut-outs oropenings at superposed parts of the assembly strips, longitudinallyextending ties with adjacent strip material respectively positionedbetween adjacent said cut-outs and each tie being weaker at one end thanat the other end thereof, so as to cause tearing severance along theweaker ends, said weaker attaching end parts of said ties being offsetlongitudinally beyond the respective adjacent edges of said cut-outs.

4. In a manifolding assembly, in combination, a plurality of longcontinuous strips in superposed manifolding relation, stress absorptionzones in the assembly formed in certain of the strips and positioned atlongitudinally spaced intervals along the assembly for absorbing andequalizing strip stresses, each said absorption zone including cutawayor removed portions of the respective superposed strips formingtransverse series of openings in superposed relation along theabsorption zone and of appreciable longitudinal extent lengthwise of theassembly so as to form a flexible transverse stress absorbing band ofappreciable longitudinal extent lengthwise of the assembly.

5. In a manifolding assembly, in combination, a plurality of longcontinuous strips in superposed manifolding relation, stress absorptionzones in the assembly formed in certain of the strips and extendingtransversely thereof and positioned at longitudinally spaced intervalsalong the assembly, each said absorption zone including cut-away orremoved portions of the respective superposed strips forming transverseseries of openings in superposed relation along the absorption zone andof appreciable longitudinal extent lengthwise of the assembly so as toform a flexible transverse stress absorbing band of appreciablelongitudinal extent lengthwise of the assembly, attachments securing theassembly strips together to form a binding stub adjacent to each saidseries of openings, and transverse weakened severance lines in thesuperposed strips at parts thereof opposite to said attachments from therespective series of cut-outs and respectively adjacent to said bindingstubs.

6. In a manifolding assembly, in combination, a plurality of longcontinuous strips in superposed manifolding relation, stress absorptionzones in the assembly formed in certain of the strips and positioned atlongitudinally spaced intervals along the assembly for absorbing andequalizing strip stresses, each said absorption zone including cutoutsor openings in the assembly strips arranged in a series along each zone,strip ties respectively interposed between said cut-outs, attachmentssecuring the assembly strips together to form a binding stub adjacent toeach said series of cutouts, and transverse weakened severance lines inthe superposed strips at parts thereof opposite to said attachments fromthe respective series of cut-outs and respectively adjacent to saidbinding stubs, each of said ties having Weaker strip attachment at oneend thereof than at the other end.

7. In a manifolding assembly, in combination, a plurality of longcontinuous strips in superposed manifolding relation, and stressabsorption zones in the assembly formed in certain of the strips andpositioned at longitudinally spaced intervals along the assembly forabsorbing and equalizing strip stresses, each said absorption zoneincluding cut-away or removed portions of the respective superposedstrips forming transverse series of openings in superposed relationalong the absorption zone and of appreciable longitudinal extentlengthwise of the assembly so as to form a flexible transverse stressabsorbing band of apprecible longitudinal extent lengthwise of theassembly," said openings being elongated and-inclined to they line oflength, of the assembly.

8. In a manifolding assembly, in combination, a plurality of longcontinuous strips in'superposed manifolding relation; and transversestress absorption zones in theassembly formed'in certain of the stripsand positioned at longitudinally spaced intervals alongthe assembly forabsorbing and equalizing strip stresses during feeding of the assembly,each of said absorption zones including cuts extending longitudinallyalong the assembly, and extending through .theassembly strips andarranged in a series along each zone, said cuts being elongated,substantially parallel with each other and inclined to the line oflength of the assembly, so as to form series ofelongated inclinedlongitudinally extending substantially parallel ties and providing foreach absorption zone a flexible stress absorbing band of'appre'c'iablelongitudinal extent lengthwise of the assembly.

9. In a manifoldingassembly, in combination, a plurality of longcontinuous strips in superposed manifolding relation, stress absorptionzones in the assembly formed in certain of the strips and positioned atlongitudinally spaced intervals along the assembly for absorbing andequalizing strip stresses, each of said absorption zones including cutsextending longitudinally along the assembly and extending through theassembly strips and arranged in a series along each zone, attachmentssecuring the assembly strips together to form a binding stub adjacent toeach said series of cuts, and transverse weakened severance lines in thesuperposed strips at parts thereof opposite to said attachments from therespective series of cuts and respectively adjacent to said bindingstubs.

10. In a manifolding assembly, in combination, a plurality of longcontinuous strips in superposed manifolding relation, stress absorptionzones in the assembly formed in certain of the strips and positioned atlongitudinally spaced intervals along the assembly for absorbing andequalizing strip stresses, each of said absorption zones including cutsextending longitudinally along the assembly and extending through theassembly strips and arranged in a series along each zone, said cutsbeing elongated and inclined to the line of length of the assembly,attachments securing the assembly strips together adjacent to therespective absorption zones, and transverse weakened severance lines inthe superposed strips at parts thereof opposite to said attachments fromthe respective series of cuts and adjacent to the respective absorptionzones.

11. A manifolding strip having transverse stress absorption zones atlongitudinally spaced intervals therealong, each zone including aplurality of transversely extending strip weakening formations one ofwhich has a plurality of elongated longitudinally extending strip ties.

12. A manifolding strip having transverse stress absorption zones atlongitudinally spaced intervals therealong, each zone including aplurality of transversely extending strip weakening formations one ofwhich has a plurality of elongated longitudinally extending strip tiesand another of which forms a weakened severance line for the strip, anda binding stub at each said zone positioned between the weakeningformations thereof.

13. In a manifolding assembly, in combination, a plurality of longcontinuous strips in superposed manifolding relation, and transversestress absorption zones in the assembly positioned at 1ongitudinallyspaced intervals therealong for absorbing and equalizing strip stresses,each said absorption zone including as a part thereof two longitudinallyspaced transverse strip weakening formations along transverse lines inthe respective superposed strips and extending along the respectiveforward and rearward marginal portions of the absorption zone, one ofsaid transverse lines of weakening formations of each of the respectivesuperposed strips at each said absorption zone having strip weakeningformations of appreciable longitudinal extent lengthwise of the assemblyso as to form a flexible transverse stress absorbing band of appreciablelongitudinal extent lengthwise of the assembly at the respectiveabsorption zones to render them flexible for stress absorption.

14 In a manifolding assembly, in combination, a plurality of longcontinuous strips in superposed manifolding relation, and transversestress absorption zones in the assembly positioned at 1ongitudinallyspaced intervals therealong for absorbing and equalizing strip stresses,each said absorption zone including as a part thereof two longitudinallyspaced transverse strip weakening formations along transverse lines inthe respective superposed strips and extending along the respectiveforward and rearward marginal portions of the absorption zone, one ofsaid transverse lines of weakening formations of each of the respectivesuperposed strips at each said absorption zone having strip weakeningformations of appreciable longitudinal extent lengthwise of the assemblyso as to form a flexible transverse stress absorbing band of appreciablelongitudinal extent lengthwise of the assembly at the respectiveabsorption zones to render them flexible for stress absorption, anotherof said transverse lines of weakening of the respective superposedstrips at each said absorption zone having strip weakening formationsforming transverse weakened areas or hands of appreciable extentlengthwise of the assembly, and attaching means attaching the assemblystrips together at the respective absorption zones intermediate therespective said spaced lines of strip weakening formations thereof.

JAMES GORDON KERR.

